Mubi CEO: Young Audiences Flock to Bold Cinema

Mubi CEO Efe Cakarel observed a notable return of young audiences to cinemas, attributing it to a desire for original and bold storytelling. He expressed optimism about the future of film experiences, stating that the industry must embrace and finance such content to find its existing, albeit not majority, audience.

Cakarel shared Mubi's impressive growth trajectory, expanding from 40 to over 400 employees in the last four years, a feat that followed 15 years of dedicated vision-building. He stressed that true growth enables the financing and global distribution of ambitious projects, like those from directors Edward Berger or Paweł Pawlikowski.

Reflecting on his own youth in Turkey, where arthouse cinemas fostered his love for film, Cakarel contrasted it with his sister's reliance on multiplexes for IP-based blockbusters. He believes younger generations are discerning, valuing high-quality experiences over short-form content, and seeking out impactful cinema.

Cakarel's "resilience formula" involves a clear vision and sustained commitment, acknowledging that rapid growth can sometimes mask underlying issues. He noted that while Mubi experienced phenomenal years in 2023 and 2024, 2025 was slower, reinforcing his philosophy that growth should not be solely for ambition's sake but to enable creative aspirations.